CHIPPENHAM Town maintained their play-off push as a goal seven minutes from time from substitute Oli Taylor saw them record their first-ever Southern Premier division victory over Paulton Rovers.

The first effort of the game belonged to the home side with former Chippenham man Darren Mullings, shooting wide on three minutes.

Two minutes later, Solomon Wheatley's mis-hit shot fell to Nino Felix, who brought a save out of Kent Kauppinen.

Chippenham responded as Ben Whitehead, making his first start, allowed the ball to run past him before firing off a shot that former Bluebirds keeper Ben John turned aside for a corner.

On 12 minutes, Whitehead was brought down by Aaron Brown as he was through on goal, referee Robert Cockle only producing a yellow card for the last defender, to the disbelief of the visitors.

Two minutes later, Mark Preece headed wide from a Chris Allen corner, whilst at the other end, Kauppinen again thwarted Felix.

Whitehead was off-target with a 30-yard effort and Alex Ferguson's shot from a James Guthrie cross was blocked.

A Paulton free-kick was touched to Brown, who shot wide from distance. Further Chippenham pressure saw Ferguson's shot deflected into the side netting on 35 minutes.

After the break, a Chippenham free-kick ended with Greg Tindle netting but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Ferguson then saw a shot blocked and another go wide whilst in between those efforts, Chris Allen saw his 30-yard shot saved.

On the hour mark, Alan Griffin drove an effort wide whilst Matt Smith's 40-yard shot was easily held by John.

On 66 minutes, Guthrie's low cross came quickly to Ferguson and he could only direct his first-time shot from six yards wide.

A minute later, Ollie Taylor made a glaring miss as he could only shoot at the covering defender on the line from inside the six-yard box after Guthrie's low cross had taken out John.

On 81 minutes, Taylor laid the ball back to Smith whose shot was saved. The all-important goal came two minutes later when Guthrie's shot was saved but the loose ball fell to Taylor who was able to tap home from close range.

The final goalmouth action came two minutes from time when Kauppinen's free kick eventually found its way to Smith who shot over.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kauppinen, Ballinger, Bevan, Allen, Tindle, Preece, Ferguson, Smith, Griffin (Taylor 63), Whitehead (Malpas 63), Guthrie.

Subs not used: Jones, Sandell, Pook.

Referee: Robert Cockle.

Attendance: 220